Diverse Communities News Issue 5

diverse communities Devon and Cornwall Police

Issue Five

Spring 2014

Winter Pride | Trail Blazing | Devon Link Up | Chinese New Year | Independent Advice| Tony Hogg visits Highbury | YAY is Five Years Old | Safe Places Scheme + More 1

Contents

Meet the team

4. WInter Pride

Corporate Diversity

6. Let me Introduce Myself 7. Trail Blazing 8. Independent Advice 10. Chinese New Year EASY READ SECTION 12. Plymouth Respect Festival 13. 101 or 999?

14. Tony Hogg visits Highbury 15. Police learn new skils 16. Yay - Young and Yourself is five years old 18. Safe Places Scheme 19. Devon Link Up 20. News round up 22. Useful links

Head of Equality and Diversity Juliet Simmons Force Diversity Sergeant Karen Buck Force Diversity and Equal Opportunities Officer Teresa Berridge Equality and Diversity Officer Simon Hill Local Policing and Partnerships Diverse Communities Teams Inspector Inspector Brent Davison

Devon DCT Team Leader Sgt Sally Kingdon Diversity Officer Exeter Gail Evans Diversity Officer North Devon and Torridge Julie Dixon Diversity Officer Torquay Kevin Mason

Plymouth DCT

Find more information on the Devon and Cornwall Police web site here.

Team Leader Sgt Robin Loveridge Diversity Officers Plymouth Graeme Kirkup Chris Harwoord Hate Crime Detectives Louise Steele Anne Rose

Cornwall & IOS DCT Alternatively, you can email us at: dctnewsletter@devonandcornwall. pnn.police.uk

Team Leader Sgt Sarah Moret-Bevan Diversity Officer East Cornwall Colin Gameson Diversity Officer West Cornwall Toby Best 2

Welcome Hello everyone, I hope this reaches you all safe and well and that you have not been too adversely affected by the weather and flooding.

As always, it is fantastic to review the newsletter and remind myself of all the great work going on across the Peninsula, only snippets of which can be covered here.

The £15K trailblazing bid will develop and improve access to deaf people in Devon in key areas including keeping safe, hate crime, domestic abuse, sexual offences and reporting. You will also see various articles from Plymouth where police staff have received Makaton training, to an update from Cornwall on five years of YAY (Young and Yourself – LGBTQ Youth Cornwall).

Many of you will remember from the Diverse Communities Teams review that it was recognised we could do more to enhance our universal service provision, so that it does not always fall to our DCT staff to provide or recover our service. We are starting that now by providing enhanced briefings and inputs to key individuals in Force. This month we begin with all of our critical incident managers (inspectors) across the force. These officers have a key role and by enhancing their knowledge and awareness we should be better at getting things right first time as they manage and scrutinise our initial response. Initial feedback has been really positive.

You will also see an article about the new Force structure for independent advice – this provides a great opportunity to look forward and be efficient and effective in what we do. Many of you have invested a good deal of time and effort in helping us get this far – thank you for that and for your ongoing support.

Inspector Brent Davison Local Policing and Partnerships Diversity Inspector

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Winter Pride

February saw the LGBT community celebrate together with a Winter Pride event. This was a family and education themed event to which I was pleased to be invited.

issues from a young person’s perspective.

There was a motivational speech about homophobia in schools from a guest speaker who is a deputy head teacher in London.

He was called Shaun Dellenty and talked of the training needed to address a lack of knowledge and action by teachers and called on everyone to tackle the issues. He spoke of the negative use of the word “gay” heard every day by children and the effects this is having on their attitudes towards homosexuality as well as members of the LGBT community themselves. There was some really useful practical advice on dealing with the issues as well as some signposting to further training and implementation of this in the work place.

There was also a panel debate made up

The day was a free entry open event with stalls from many LGBT support and information service providers. I was there in my capacity as a Diverse Communities Officer not only to provide reporting advice and meet other groups but to also learn more myself.

On the day I was introduced to a support network set up by and for same sex parents, Rainbow Families South West, and a wonderful group FFLAG, which is Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays. FFLAG can be found at http://www.fflag.org.uk/ and with gay relatives I wish I had known about this support group way back as their ethos and support network is second to none.

I was also able to speak to Hannah from “Out Youth” about upcoming events being organised by the group which have requested the police take part in. I am very much looking forward to this and to discussing any LGBT

of representatives from the local authority, young people’s LGBT services, lesbian and gay teachers, parents of gay children and 4

LGBT support workers and same sex parents. This prompted some excellent debate and raised some great questions.

I also managed to say my piece on the importance of reporting hate crime and the many ways that this can be done including third party reports.

In the evening there was a ticketed social event, hosted by a wonderful drag queen “Amber Dextrous” with performances by a comedy duo “Topping and Butch”. This was a much more relaxed affair and I did not stop laughing all evening. Even being subjected to some public humiliation by Amber was in fact good fun. Top tip: Do not get up to use the facilities when it means walking past the act!

I can’t wait for the Summer Pride event! n PC Chris Harwood (Plymouth) 5

Let me introduce myself...

Trailblazing - Improving access to servicefor deaf people Sir Bobby Robson(Ex-England and Newcastle United manager) for his football knowledge, Nelson Mandela for his ability to forgive and look forward, the person who sells me the winning Euro Lottery Jackpot to thank them and so we could discuss who I’m going to help with the money, and my mum (sadly died 17 years ago), so she could see that the influence and guidance she instilled in me had not been wasted, She would love the fact people have a chance of being treated fairly and equally.

What is your favourite film?

Favourite Film ... Gladiator.” Win the crowd and Win your Freedom ”

Graeme is a PC working within the Diverse Communities team in Plymouth. We asked him to tell us a little about himself.

What’s the best thing about being a Police Officer?

What’s your name and what is your professional Best thing about being a Police Officer, is background? having the daily ability to help someone and My name is Graeme Kirkup, my previous often someone new even if only in a small way occupation was a professional footballer with Exeter City, which is what brought me to the Tell us something about you that would surprise D&C area from Newcastle even your closest colleagues I used to be a Werewolf!..but I’m alright Nooooooooooowwwwwwwww.

Why have you decided to join the DCT? I was aware of the hugely changing City of Plymouth and the diverse communities that were growing. I had worked with the City College and International schools as well as Learning Disability groups covering “Personal Safety” work, and felt I could transfer those skills across to the role.

What do you hope to achieve with the DCT? I hope to support and maintain the trusted links with Diverse groups built over the last seven years, but more importantly, I hope develop new links for the future. If I can gain the trust and confidence of just one more vulnerable person or community member then I will have succeeded.

If you could invite four people (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would they be and why?

The Four people I would invite to a meal are 6

Devon and Cornwall Police has been successful in its bid to win £15,000 from the Home Office to develop and improve access to service Deaf people in Devon.

The project, known as Trailblazing, will predominantly focus on a number of key areas including keeping safe, hate crime, domestic abuse/violence, sexual offences and reporting.

documentation used will be examined, along with relevant partnership processes.

Officers and staff throughout Devon will receive ‘Deaf awareness training’ alongside an introduction to BSL – the main language used by members of the Deaf community.

The training will equip them with the skills and knowledge to better understand the specific needs of a Deaf person.

“As a Force, we are extremely proud and grateful to have won this bid, against many others. The aim of Trailblazing is to make Police services accessible to all sectors of the community including the Deaf and hardof-hearing” said Juliet Simmons, Director for Equality and Diversity.

It will involve a number of face-to-face consultation events to be held throughout the region. Here, members of the Deaf community will be asked to give their views and perception of the current service levels from the Police.

The findings will be used to adaptour service and improve accessibility for this community.

As part of the consultation, all accessibility materials including information leaflets, booklets, websites and social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, will be audited and adapted accordingly. Work has already began on production of Bristish sign language (BSL) video clips which will be located on Devon and Cornwall Police website. www.devon-cornwall. police.uk.

Trailblazing will also audit the ‘victim’s journey’ to ascertain current processes in place. All

Devon and Cornwall Police will be working in partnership with Living Options, to deliver the project. Living Options is a userled organisation which works with local communities to ensure that people with disabilities can live the life they choose.

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Independent Advice Devon and Cornwall Police have used independent advisors since 2002. Independent advice is: Guidance, feedback, personal insight or constructive challenge provided by individuals who are independent of the police and which reflects their perspective as a member of a community.

In 2012 Local Reference Groups (LRG) were established to provide feedback on the impact of operational policing on diverse communities and how changes to local policing were affecting different communities.

Independent advisors will provide advice in three key areas; 1. Local policing - local policing in this context is defined as the policing that occurs in your locality, namely Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Plymouth and Devon. It includes all aspects of policing, crime, response and neighbourhood.

In 2013, in response to concerns about the effectiveness of SIAG, a working group was set up with a brief to develop a new approach to the provision of independent advice.

The group’s approach has been to identify the different aspects of policing for which independent advice is needed and to identify options for how this advice could be provided.

It has considered the benefits of the different approaches and has identified a preferred option.

Initially the advice was provided by advisors who met as one of three groups, which were focussed around the needs of specific equality groups. In 2009, the Force reviewed the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) structure and established a multi-strand Strategic Independent Advisory Group (SIAG). This is supported by independent advisors who meet in groups focussing on the issues for different equality groups.

2. Critical incidents - “any incident where the effectiveness of the police response is likely to have a significant impact on the confidence of the victim, their family and /or the community”.

How Feedback

Scrutiny Panel

Plymouth LRG

Scrutiny Panel

DCT Newsletter

Chief Officers & Business Leads

Operational Advice & Critical Incidents

Local Policing

Cornwall LRG

Head of Crime & Senior Investigating Officers

Devon LRG

Scrutiny Panel

Policy & Equality Objectives

Equality Objective Reference Groups

Critical Incident Group

Face to Face Phone Email

Annual Critical Incident Conference

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Local Debrief Events

Violence against Women

Positive Action

Culture/ L&D

Hate Crime

Annual EDHR Report

Specific Project work Reference Groups

Safeguarding Vulnerable People Pilot

Annual Conference

Advice & Support Corporate EDHR & DCT

Geographic Comanders & Senior Management Teams

What

Who

Devon and Cornwall Police Independent Advice

3. Equality objectives and Force policy - develop and prioritise activity to progress equality objectives. Review progress and provide feedback on the impact on protected groups. Provide advice on specific short–term initiatives or projects e.g. Safeguarding Vulnerable People pilot.

The existing IAG members have been working with the Force to develop the tools needed, including application packs, information for advisors, guidance documents and measures for monitoring impacts and success.

It is anticipated that the last meeting of the IAG in its current format will occur in 2014 and the new structure will then be the way independent advice is given to the Force.

How to contact Devon and Cornwall Police

Emergencies Telephone 999 SMS/Text 999 Deaf/hard of hearing/speech impaired Register now at: www.emergencysms.org.uk) Minicom/Textphone 18000

Website

http://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk

General Enquiries Telephone 101

SMS/Text 67101 (Deaf/hard of hearing/speech impaired) Minicom/Textphone 18001 101

DCT Newsletter dctnewsletter@

devonandcornwall. pnn.police.uk

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Chinese New Year On Wednesday 29th January 2014 Diversity Officer Graeme Kirkup, attended the Chinese New Year celebration at the City College, Plymouth which was bringing in the ‘Year of the Horse’. The New Year Spring Festival is the most important of the Chinese holidays.

College International Officer, Jackie Zhang, said: “In China, people usually take a few weeks holiday to prepare for the celebration and usually see in the New Year with family.

We didn’t want our Chinese students, who are a long way from home, to miss out. So we decided to host a party. It’s also a great way for other college students, who are interested about China or Asia, to understand and celebrate Chinese culture more.”

The invitation was exetended to Devon and Cornwall Police because of the strong ties the Diversity Team have made with the local International Language school department of the college over the past 14 years. This partnership supports the personal safety of the students for their time in a new city.

The students are mainly from Beijing University,

Images kindly provided by City College, Plymouth in China and come to the UK as a valuable part of their personal development giving them further qualifications to take back to the mainland.

The event was so enjoyable, it was planned to perfection and as you would expect for any New Year Celebration it was colourful, humorous and very artistic. Not only was there a drama theme of the “Life Journey of Jeffrey” searching his true love, but there was individual musical and vocal performances topped off with a fantastic magic act, all performed by the students. There was also the opportunity to enjoy the fantastic Chinese banquet.

An extensive list of VIP guests had been invited, including the Lord Mayor, College governors, representatives from Plymouth University, and many staff and host families.

Jessica Randall, Head of International Development at the College, said: “The College is delighted to host this event. It is important for the students to be able to celebrate this very special time of year in a traditional way and we enjoy celebrating it with them.”

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EASY READ

Easy Read

The Respect Festival in Plymouth

Easy Read

101 or 999?

Thanks to the Diverse Communities Team for organising visits to Crownhill Police Station so we can learn more about how 101 and 999 calls are answered. Dawn and John have been great in explaining the difference between a non-emergency (ring 101) and an emergency (ring 999).

The Racial Equality Council (REC) is a charity that supports people from the BME (Black Minority Ethnic) community in Plymouth. They help raise awareness of discrimination and hate crime.

Below self-advocates from Ridleys try out Dawn’s scenario game correctly identifying that if you have just been assaulted at a bus stop you would need to call 999.

The REC hold a yearly Respect Festival and October 2013 was the first year people with a learning disability had been invited to take part. Plymouth Highbury Trust led the parade; proudly ‘Flying for Respect’ with their owl and windsocks. This year’s theme will be ‘Sailing for Respect’.

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EASY READ

Easy Read

Easy Read

Tony Hogg visits Highbury Since being elected as Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg has regularly kept in touch with Plymouth People First.

Last Autumn he was invited to a coffee morning in his honour by self-advocates from Highbury.

Caroline had been asked by Tony’s policy advisor Eelke to create a picture for his office.

Caroline chose to do a portrait of Tony standing on the Tamar Bridge.

Police learn new skills As a result of working so closely with people with a learning disability the police have realised that they need to be more aware of different communication techniques so they can support people to report crimes. 30 officers have been trained in basic Makaton.

Here Detectives Lou and Anni practice their new found skill with self advocates from St Georges Community Resource Centre, Robin and PCSO Chris.

The Herald covered Tony’s visit.

He said, “I have a real soft spot for Plymouth People First and my job is to hold the police to account. Part of that is being a champion to minority groups”.

Tony’s annual report is now available in easy read for you.

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Content from Jill Singh - Plymouth People First 15

YAY - Young and Yourself is 5 years old

Cornwall’s only support group specifically for lesbian, gay,

In 2011 LGBTQ Youth Cornwall opened the first dedicated LGBTQ youth centre for Cornwall in Truro, mainly funded by Children in Need.

Most of the sessions including members meetings, drop ins, film night and management meetings are held in this youth centre.

They have also welcomed its use by other organisations who have benefited by having access to a LGBTQ young person safe space.

In February 2014, LGBTQ Youth Cornwall celebrated its 5th birthday. They have supported in excess of 300 young people from around Cornwall who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or questioning. They have been working with services across Cornwall, including The Intercom Trust, Brook, FFLAG, Cornwall Pride, Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police, to ensure that young people that identify as LGBTQ, can access the

a truly valuable service.

The birthday marks a milestone in the history of the youth group as well as Cornwall’s place in LGBT history. The celebration also marked LGBT History month now in its 10th year, there was a history board displayed in the youth centre for the whole month and community members, organisers of the group, funders and young people were invited to a LGBT history film night.

The youth group have got some exciting projects in the pipeline for 2015 and beyond, including achieving charity status and working with other organisations in Cornwall to challenge homophobia in schools. www.lgbtqyouthcornwall.co.uk www.facebook.com/lgbtqyouthcornwall

bisexual, trans and questioning young people, LGBTQ Youth Cornwall turned five years old this month.

At Cornwall Pride in 2008 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans – Partners and Communities Together (LGBT PACT) asked people what their concerns were as members of the gay community in Cornwall. The top priority was identified was a lack of provision for young LGBT people living, working or who are visiting, at school or college in Cornwall.

In 2009 members of LGBT PACT held a meeting to address this concern and out of that began LGBTQ Youth Cornwall. After a couple of months of fundraising and planning the first youth worker was employed and sessions for young people provided. At this time the meetings were held in coffee shops that kindly stayed open after hours to provide a venue for the sessions. It has been an intention from the outset that this was a youth group not a youth

club; it is about creating a safe supportive environment for young LGBTQ people. This was reinforced at those early sessions by the young people themselves who created the name of the group as ‘Young and Yourself!’

YAY! They wanted something that they could relate to, something that didn’t shout about being lesbian, gay, bi, trans or questioning but a place where you could be any of those things and ‘Young and Yourself!’ A professional marketing consultant worked with the young people to design the logo for the group.

During 2010 the group continued to hold sessions in coffee shops and other venues in and around Truro. By the end of the year some open evenings were held at youth centres across the county in places like Saltash.

Launceston, Hayle and Falmouth.

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Safe Places Scheme

Devon Link-Up

Avon and Somerset launch their own ‘Safe Place’ scheme

Devon Link Up is a user led organisation which was

continues to grow.

with a learning disability in having a voice and real choices

following success in Devon and Cornwall and our scheme

and our congratulations to Avon and Somerset Safe Places Scheme.

After introducing the award winning ‘Cornwall way of the Safe Places Scheme’ to Sumita Hutchison at Avon and Somerset Police headquarters in Portishead in 2012 with a comparison of the local safer scheme initiative to the national Safe Places Scheme was undertaken. The learning Disability community groups around Bristol voted overwhelmingly for the Safe Places Scheme.

The Devon and Cornwall Police Diverse Communities Teams (DCT) and their partner agencies refreshed the Devon and Plymouth Safe Places Scheme in their areas.

Led by Inspector Davison (DCT Lead), in co-ordinating the great effort by everyone, Devon and Cornwall Police area now has around 1200 safe places. That includes approximately 2400 volunteer members. We are also currently in talks around producing a mobile phone APP for the South West area.

There was a close scrutiny process by Avon and Somerset Police and their partner agencies with consultation with Colin Gameson (Devon and Cornwall Police), of how the scheme worked in Cornwall.

Great support was given to Colin, Sumita and Insp Fox by Magi Omlo-Coad, Cornwall Council - Safe Places lead and Selina Williamson of the Cornwall People First (Learning Disabilities) trust group. n Sgt Sally Kingdon (Devon)

My vision remains that a member of the Learning Disabilities community or vulnerable adult can call on this South West safety net whilst either living in or travelling through the South-West region. We are also awaiting a decision with British Transport Police for the rail network to be further involved. I am also hoping to introduce the scheme to Dorset police very soon.

Avon and Somerset Police Safe Places launch at WH Smith, Weston Super Mare in February 2014

Well done to everyone involved in the process 18

established in 1991, which is dedicated to supporting people about what happens in their lives.

What are the aims of your group / organisation?

places of interest according to their wishes.

Devon Link-Up has skittles and football teams that participate very successfully in their local leagues.

Devon Link-Up aims to promote good communication and undertakes work with a wide variety of services and organisations to make information accessible. Training is also provided around good practice when working with people with learning disabilities. Members work with a variety of agencies to ensure that they are providing services appropriately.

Devon Link-Up aims to increase the positive inclusion of people with learning disabilities in their local community through a variety of projects and initiatives that are led by them.

Devon Link Up aims to get the voices and experiences of people with learning disabilities heard and recognised. ‘Speaking up’ groups meet regularly and give people the opportunity to discuss issues that are important to them.

The groups are currently working alongside Healthwatch Devon to provide feedback on health and social care issues in order that services can be developed and improved.

How do you work with Devon and Cornwall Police?

Devon Link-Up aims to promote positive inclusion both locally and nationally. The ‘Speaking Up’ groups feed information in to the Learning Disability Parliaments where elected MPs can ensure voices are heard and issues addressed. Where there are particular issues members can be supported by the issue based advocate.

As an organisation, Devon Link-Up has always known and recognised the importance of friendships, relationships and a lively social life. Through a wide variety of activities people are supported to access different groups and events within their local area. There are currently groups that meet at local swimming pools, sports centres, libraries and community centres. Visits are also arranged to other

Devon Link-Up has developed a good and positive relationship with Devon and Cornwall Police and hopes to continue to build on the work already started. Our members have worked alongside Devon and Cornwall Police with the ‘Safe Place’ project and with hate and mate Crime work.

In the local communities, the ‘Speaking Up’ groups regularly meet with their Police Community Support Officers and the links that have been established have greatly impacted on the members feelings of safety.

Can you provide a recent success story?

The ‘Speaking up’ groups in Honiton have talked a lot about hate and mate crime and how it affects the lives of people with

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News Round Up learning disabilities. The group meet their PCSO regularly and know him by name; they are aware of the Safe Place scheme and know how to use their safe place cards if necessary. The group understood about hate and mate crime but were unable to describe or talk about any personal incidents because they are not directly affected. They use local pubs and shops, go to work in the town and socialise frequently at local venues and are able to do so without fear or harm. The success of this cannot be underestimated and is a credit to everyone in the town willing to work together for the good of their local community.

How do you see your group / organisation developing in the future?

Devon Link Up will continue to work as directed by the members and one of the main areas that people are seeking support with is the opportunity for meaningful employment. Many of the members want to work but need to be given the right information, advice and guidance. This is an area which Devon Link-Up will be looking to develop in terms of linking with other agencies and services and supporting people to find appropriate services.

The need for voices to be heard and the maintenance of strong and positive relationships will always be the main aim of Devon Link Up’s work and we relish the chance to move in to the future in exciting and dynamic ways!

Devon Local Reference Group and Devon Hate Crime Scrutiny group The Devon Local Reference Group (LRG), chaired

by Devon Commander, Chief Superintendent Paul Davies has been growing in numbers over the past eight months with around 26 active members from all of the protected characteristic groups.

Each quarterly meeting includes a detailed presentation on hate crimes and hate incidents broken down into local districts, crime/incident types and victim genders. An update on both local and Forcewide issues is also provided as well as discussion of important and topical issues from those in attendance. Most recently an update has been provided on the re-launch of the Safe Places scheme, which is being co-ordinated

by Jo Morgan from Devon Link-Up, assisted by neighbourhood officers within Devon and Cornwall Police. This national scheme identifies local safe places identified by disabled service users through the use of large yellow stickers in relevant shop windows, leisure centres, public houses etc.

Further updates included the English Defence League march which took place in Exeter in November 2013 and the Safeguarding Vulnerable People Review which continues to move forward.

There has equally been much interest in the recent recruitment campaigns for both Special Constables and new police officer recruits. The Local Reference Group ensures that a balanced equality and diversity perspective is maintained in line with the Public Sector Equality Duties.

The Devon Hate Crime Scrutiny group also meets on a bi-monthly basis and is attended by the Geographic Sector Inspectors, local Detective inspectors with responsibility for hate crime and is chaired by either Chief Superintendent Paul Davies or Detective Chief Inspector Mike Robison.

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The group also has an independent advisor present, Dave Wright from Devon County Council. The group dip samples hate crimes across Devon from each of the recorded hate crime types to ensure that high standards of investigation are maintained. Most recently, in-depth scrutiny took place around the use of restorative justice for hate crimes within Devon over the past year. These findings are fed back to the Local Reference Group to enable better understanding and communication.

revised roles of the DCT following our review and every officer’s duties under the equality act among many other topics.

n Sgt Sally Kingdon (Devon)

Welcome Project On visiting one of our asylum seeker and refugee support service providers last year I got speaking to a refugee who, when he found out I was a police officer, walked away saying he did not like police. I was not in uniform at the time.

I called him back and told him this is exactly why I am here and asked him to sit a talk to me about why he did not like us.

In doing so a number of his friends joined in and at the end an hour and a half later there were 10 of us sat round talking.

It became clear that a lack of understanding on why the police act and do what they do was a contributing factor but this also worked both ways and a number of issues were raised with concerns that the police do not understand different cultures.

Outside of the police and following the same suggestion from a number of organisations the British Red Cross have developed a “Welcome Project” for new arrivals to the city. Part of this project, that new arrivals receive an input from DCT’s around some of the more common issues likely to be encountered from a policing perspective. We cover some basic offences so service users do not inadvertently get themselves into trouble, but also information arouund the level of service they should expect from the police when we deal with them in any capacity. We cover stop searches and why we conduct them but also what the person stopped is entitled to ask and be told as well as why the police undertake certain actions in certain circumstances. This is with the view that, unlike my friend from 12 months ago, if people are told why and what we do then we can manage expectations for the better and help alleviate the fear some communities have around the police.

We have also given some training to the Red Cross volunteers with a slightly deeper input on what constitutes an offence and the consequences of committing crime as an asylum seeker or refugee, if convicted. We also informed them of the third party reporting mechanism should disclosure be made to them that they felt worthy of the police should know about. n PC Chris Harwood (Plymouth)

Through this and other work we are addressing the internal learning through a rolling five week awareness program to all front line response officers. This will include promoting the newly 21

Useful links

These websites are provided as useful links. Devon and Cornwall Police have no

responsibility for the content

All Nations Ministries The aim - a sense of belonging to Plymouth for everyone regardless of his or her ethnic origin.

of these websites.

If you would like your organisation added to the useful links section, please email

Cornwall People First A ‘self advocacy group’ whereby people with a learning disability meet up to talk and have fun, campaign and lobby about things that are important to them Website | Email | 01736 334857

Devon & Cornwall Refugee Support

Website | Email

Devon Grapevine The online place for people from different cultures to find services in Devon, get help with learning English and make contact with others.

Website

Disability Cornwall To facilitate a fully inclusive society in Cornwall through empowering disabled people to achieve independence, choice and control.

Website | Email

Camborne Church Providing facilities for all within the community including diverse groups such as the homeless, migrant workers, adults with learning difficulties.

Website | Email

Dor Kemmyn Dor Kemmyn’s main aim is to bring people together from different faiths and cultures to find common ground for the future wellbeing of everyone.

Website | Email

Eddystone Trust Independent organisation providing information and support for anyone affected by HIV across the South West.

Website | Email | 01752 651817

dctnewsletter@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

Amber Initiatives To provide assistance to migrant workers working in the UK or those who plan to do so.

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DCRS advisors provide assistance with issues including housing, financial support, legal services etc.

Website | Email | 01752 265952

Website | 0800 328 3508 23

Useful links

Cornwall Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement Fata-He Building a sustainable, vibrant and cohesive BME voluntary and community sector within Devon and Cornwall.

Gay Christian Movement A site for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and inclusive christians.

Website | Email | 01752 607853

Website

Kelhillat The title mixes Hebrew and Cornish.

‘Kelhillat’ is understood as (Jewish) community and ‘Kernow’ is the ancient for Cornwall Website | Email

Mencap Devon and Cornwall Police promise to stand by people with a learning disability to end hate crime through Mencap’s ‘Stand by Me’ project.

Website | Email | 0808 808 1111 24

Plymouth & Devon Racial Equality Council An independent and impartial registered charity promote equality of opportunity and to eliminate racial discrimination.

Website | Email | 01752 244555

Plymouth Centre for Faiths & Cultural Diversity To promote education of world religion and cultural diversity based on the values of respect and tolarence.

Website | Email | 01752 254438

Living Options Ensures that people with disabilities and deaf people (for whom British Sign Language is their first or preferred language) can live the life they choose Website | Email

Plymouth Highbury Trust Support and advocacy to improve the services for people with a learning disablity in Plymouth.

Plymouth Kurdish Community Providing advice and information for Kurdish refugees in Devon and Cornwall.

Piety Serving the Plymouth area for Muslims and non Muslims with prayer, lectures, a cafe and more.

Plymouth Pride Forum Aims to improve the lives of LGBT people in Plymouth by voicing their needs and identifying gaps in services.

South Asian Society Aiming to create a cultural, social and mutual support network for Devon and Cornwall’s South Asian people.

Website

Website | Email

Website | Email

Website

Website | Email | 01752 773333

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Useful links

The Flashpoint Centre Based in Bodmin, provides Junior Lifeskills inputs to young people.

The Gender Identity Research Education Society (GIRES) The Gender Trust is a support and an information centre for anyone concerning gender identity, or gender identity issues.

Website | Email | 01527 894 838

Website | Email | 01208 72087

The Rainbow Experience The Intercom Trust Supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and communities in the South West peninsula.

The Rainbow Experience A new LGBT social and support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people aged 50+ living in and around Plymouth Website | Email

Website | Email | 0800 612 3010

Young and Yourself A group for any young person living in Cornwall who is or thinks they may be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning.

Website | Email

Young Devon Young Devon is a voluntary organisation established in 1949 to support and deliver services to young people in Devon] Website 26